The 416/400gr combo at 2400 fps or higher will out penetrate just about all the NE calibers, at least from what I have read and folks whom I've spoken to including Tony Sanchez himself. If I had to choose an elephant caliber/rifle combo it would be either a 460 Weatherby (oh no, a pushfeed!!!) or 450 Rigby/Dakota and in a double a 450#2 or a 450 3 1/4". The 416s penetrate as well if not better, but I'd like the extra diameter/weighto of the 55/458. Maybe someday, but hey! I'll be in Dallas next week and who knows, I might just do that! jorge
Jorge,
I think you are right here. Elmer Keith some 70-80 years ago, wrote that the best penetration came from cartridges that developed 2400-2800 muzzle velocity. I agree with this. If you look at all the older cartridges that still achieve favor among experienced riflemen, they loosely fall into those velocity ranges.
I have owned several .416's and they are very good, sort of a heavy handed .375, but none of them thumps, like the .45's. I eventually cleaned house of all my mediums and light .40's in favor of a couple of .45's, with the .460 being my choice for any potentially dangerous or larger game.
It shoots flat like a .30/06 and loads bullets from 300 grains to 600 grains. There is something for any game or recoil tollerance in .458 caliber.
JW